Here comes the snow again

James Tucker, bridge worker, looks at the amount of salt poured into the brine mixing machine Monday at the amount of salt poured into the brine mixing machine Monday at the N.C. DOT maintenance department on U.S. 258. As more snow is forecasted for the area, DOT is busy making gallons of salt brine to fill their trucks.

Published: Monday, February 10, 2014 at 08:27 PM.

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After some parts of the region received up to 7 inches of snow two weeks ago, the forecast is calling for more flakes as early as this morning.

National Weather Service Meteorologist David Glenn said Kinston could see anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of snow.

“The snowfall will start (this) morning and last until mid-morning on Wednesday,” Glenn said. “We’re also expecting sleet to be mixed in, which provides some uncertainty. If there’s more sleet than snow, it will cut back on the amount of precipitation, but if there’s more snow than sleet, the levels will be higher.”

Roger Dail, director of Lenoir County Emergency Services, said there may be a change depending on where the storm breaks.

“We have a low pressure system coming in and depending on how close or far along the coast it’s tracked will determine how much snow we’ll receive,” Dail said. “In Eastern North Carolina, it can be mighty hard to predict a weather event like this, so we’re just waiting for now.”

Across the region, more citizens are confident the upcoming snowstorm won’t be as bad as the one on Jan. 28. Ayden resident Ronald Cannon said he won’t be preparing as much for the wintry mix.

“Last time, I went to the store and loaded up on items,” Cannon said. “This time, I’m just going to wing it. As long as it doesn’t ice, I should be fine.”

After some parts of the region received up to 7 inches of snow two weeks ago, the forecast is calling for more flakes as early as this morning.

National Weather Service Meteorologist David Glenn said Kinston could see anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of snow.

“The snowfall will start (this) morning and last until mid-morning on Wednesday,” Glenn said. “We’re also expecting sleet to be mixed in, which provides some uncertainty. If there’s more sleet than snow, it will cut back on the amount of precipitation, but if there’s more snow than sleet, the levels will be higher.”

Roger Dail, director of Lenoir County Emergency Services, said there may be a change depending on where the storm breaks.

“We have a low pressure system coming in and depending on how close or far along the coast it’s tracked will determine how much snow we’ll receive,” Dail said. “In Eastern North Carolina, it can be mighty hard to predict a weather event like this, so we’re just waiting for now.”

Across the region, more citizens are confident the upcoming snowstorm won’t be as bad as the one on Jan. 28. Ayden resident Ronald Cannon said he won’t be preparing as much for the wintry mix.

“Last time, I went to the store and loaded up on items,” Cannon said. “This time, I’m just going to wing it. As long as it doesn’t ice, I should be fine.”

Pink Hill resident Wanda Selby said she won’t need to prepare because she already has necessary items.

“I’ve got bread, milk, enough food, candles and flashlights,” Selby said. “I also have a gas fireplace, so in case the electricity goes out, I’ll still have that for heat.”

Sara Cox, who resides in Kinston, said she took more of a precaution due to the unexpected snowfall from the last storm.

“The first time, I thought it was going to be overcast and there wouldn’t be hardly any snow, so I didn’t prepare as much,” Cox said. “Four inches of snow later, it turned out I was wrong. I bought an oil heater this time around, so I’m just going to ride it out.”

Maintenance workers started brining the roads early Monday. Department of Transportation Supervisor Brian Harper said crews were out as early as 7:30 Monday morning in preparation.

“It’s best to use salt brine on roads up to 72 hours in advance,” Harper said. “Doing it 48 hours before a storm is even better, because it will last longer.”

Harper said despite dwindling supplies of salt, the organization will still be able to do a more than ample job clearing the roads.

“We haven’t been able to replenish our supplies as much, with salt being such a hot commodity now,” Harper said. “Still, we’ve got more than enough in reserves and we’ll be able to clear the roads.”

Kinston Department of Public Safety Director Bill Johnson said he doesn’t see as much of a need to have additional officers on the road during the storm, but plans will be adjusted according to the weather.

“We’re always paying attention to the forecasts and each officer will be contacted as far as whether they need to come in or do an extended shift,” Johnson said. “Whatever the case, we’ll do our part to handle our duties.”

According to Accuweather.com, Kinston will experience a wintry mix in the afternoon with a high of 35 degrees and a low of 24. Rain will be in the forecast Wednesday with a high of 38 degrees and a low of 33, with temperatures rising into the mid-40s.

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.